Northern Ohio Area Chambers of Commerce (NOACC) is a regional partnership of over 120 community-based chambers of commerce in northern Ohio dedicated to helping chambers deliver competitive and cost-saving benefits and services for almost 35,000 member businesses.

When did it start? Who were the founding chambers?

It was incorporated in 1995 as the Northeast Ohio Area Chambers of Commerce by the three founding chambers, Beachwood, Euclid and Solon. The Aurora, Chesterland, Mayfield Area, Parma Area and Warrensville Heights Area Chambers of Commerce were added as voting members of the corporation soon after.

Our mission is to harness the power of the NOACC chamber partnership to provide benefits and resources that the individual business or chamber would be unable to obtain on their own.

Who is entitled to use a NOACC benefit?

Members in good standing of any NOACC Chamber can use any of the NOACC benefits. They must maintain their chamber membership to continue receiving the discounted rate of most benefits.

How does my business join NOACC?

By joining a chamber that is a member of NOACC, your business will automatically become a member of NOACC.A complete list of NOACC Chambers is in the Member Directory.

Is there an additional cost to join NOACC after I join a chamber of commerce?

No. NOACC membership is automatically included in your chamber membership.

Which NOACC Chamber of Commerce should I join?

Every chamber is different, and you might want to join more than one chamber for different reasons. Typically, you would at least join the chamber in the community where your business is located—to take advantage of the many marketing opportunities within that community. But you might like the activities of a neighboring chamber and you can network there too. Most chambers will let you attend at least one event as a guest.

Can I join more than one chamber?

Absolutely! Your business should be a member of every chamber where you would like to attract or grow your business. Surveys show that people like doing business with “chamber members” whom they trust and have a commitment to the community.

Is there a multi-chamber membership available through NOACC?

Not at the present time, although that has been requested before and could happen in the future.

How much does chamber membership cost?

Chambers have different costs and levels of membership. Small volunteer only chambers might be very affordable, but may not offer a lot of services. Larger or more regional chambers will cost more but will give you a wide variety of opportunities to promote your business and get referrals, etc.

Can my business join NOACC without joining a chamber of commerce?

No. Only chambers of commerce join NOACC directly, as it is a partnership of chambers. Your business MUST join a local NOACC chamber of commerce.A complete list of NOACC Chambers is in the Member Directory.

That will vary based on the benefit—anywhere from a few dollars to thousands of dollars. In most cases the benefit will save a business more than their chamber of commerce membership costs. To maximize the savings, use more than one benefit.

Can I find out how much my savings will be on a benefit before I join a chamber?

Yes. All the NOACC providers are able to give an estimate of the cost and the discount you will receive as a NOACC member. Contact a NOACC Benefit Provider

Can I use my own health insurance agent to get a quote on Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield?

Yes, in most cases. If your agent is licensed to sell Anthem he or she must ask for the NOACC rate when they apply for a quote.

How can I get a quote on Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurance if I don’t have an insurance agent?

Your chamber of commerce can give you a referral to a local Anthem agent, or you can contact the NOACC Office at 866-466-6222 or the Anthem Sales office in your region or call 1-800-551-3119. Or click here to start the process online.

Can I get a quote on the other NOACC Benefits?

Yes. The only way to evaluate the special rates that are offered to NOACC chamber members is to compare apples to apples. Introductory discounts will change and do not give you a true picture of your cost savings over a long time. Contact a NOACC Benefit Provider

Do all NOACC Chambers offer all the NOACC benefits to their members?

No. Some chambers choose to only offer some NOACC benefits. And because of exclusive contracts the chamber may have with other providers, the chamber may not be allowed to promote a particular NOACC benefit. Note: If a chamber offers Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield to its members, it must be the exclusive health insurance offering of that chamber. The other NOACC Benefits do not require an exclusive arrangement with a chamber. But the chamber may have an exclusive arrangement with another (non-NOACC) provider.

Will the NOACC Benefit Provider verify that my business is a chamber member?

Yes. Chamber membership will be confirmed with the chamber before the NOACC benefit may be used.

Must I maintain my chamber membership to keep the NOACC discount?

Yes. In most cases the discount for just one benefit will be worth much more that the cost of the annual membership in the chamber.

Do all chambers offer the same benefits?

No. This is another reason why businesses join more than one chamber. Every chamber has their own “special” deals, or perks. But the negotiated benefits with NOACC are the same in every chamber.

Is Chamber membership a good investment in my business?

Chamber membership doesn’t cost…it PAYS! Ask someone who has received one referral, or made one great contact at a networking event, or saved more on health insurance, workers’ comp, credit card processing, etc. than they could have on their own—all because of their chamber membership.

Do I have to be involved in chamber activities to stay a member?

It is NOT a requirement of membership to participate in chamber activities. But eventually as time allows, you’ll want to join in the fun—make some new friends—be more active in your community. Most people find their businesses growing when their chamber activities start growing. It’s all up to you.

Are there any other reasons to join a chamber?

Joining a chamber is one of the first things a new business should do to get established. And it’s something that an existing business should do to grow. The chamber is usually the most powerful organization in town—it takes on projects and issues that are important to the growth of the business economy. It is the voice of business. If the chamber doesn’t do it…who would? But lifetime friendships can also be found in the chamber.